WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FOR THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, January 19, 2003 The male VARIED THRUSH which appeared early this month at a feeder at 383 Prinyer's Cove Crescent, is still being seen daily by birders who make the trip to Prinyer's Cove, 17 km east of Lake-on-the-Mountain. Morning still seems to be the time of the day when the bird is most dependable. Apparently, a second bird, a female, reported earlier by the operator of the feeder, has been confirmed by one observer. If anyone knows the identity of the observer who confirmed the female, please e-mail me as I would like this information for our Prince Edward County records. There is also a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER coming to this same feeder.
Feeders elsewhere are reporting good success with MOURNING DOVES numbering 60 or more at some feeders. Similar numbers are at my feeder, although a male COOPER'S HAWK snatches a MOURNING DOVE on the average of once every two days. The CAROLINA WREN at 23 Sprague Road, is seen on a regular basis most days, dividing its time between Timbits, suet, peanut butter, and the heated bird bath. A Smith's Bay feeder has a high of 5 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS coming, and several SONG SPARROWS, in addition to a BROWN CREEPER and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET on the premises. Thirteen species of birds are coming to my 22 feeders with highs of 32 TREE SPARROWS, 26 HOUSE FINCHES, 43 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, 30 HOUSE SPARROWS and 13 BLUE JAYS, in addition to the previously mentioned MOURNING DOVES and regulars. Eight WILD TURKEYS have been coming to a feeder at Chuckery Hill. So many reports of BALD EAGLES came in during the week, it is difficult to determine which ones are repeat sightings and which are new birds. Reports came in from the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area, Prince Edward Bay, Kaiser Crossroad, Smith's Bay, Adolphus Reach and Cressy. RED-TAILED HAWKS during the week were seen at Mountain View, Black River, and Bongard Road. As frigid weather seals up the lakes and bays around the county, waterfowl is becoming much more difficult to locate. Prince Edward Point today had COMMON GOLDENEYE, LONG-TAILED DUCKS, GREATER SCAUP, MALLARDS and AMERICAN BLACKS. During mid-week, COMMON MERGANSERS, 1 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and CANADA GEESE had also been seen. There are three TRUMPETER SWANS (2 adults & one immature) in Lake Ontario between Cressy Lakeside Road and Kaiser Crossroad, seen on Wednesday. TUNDRA SWANS numbering 25 continue to be seen in the Smith's Bay and Waupoos area. Other good sightings during the week included WHITE-THROATED SPARROW east of Lake-on-the-Mountain, a WINTER WREN on Tuesday at the Prince Edward Point lighthouse, 43 WILD TURKEYS at the Sandbanks' Woodland Campground on Wednesday, a wintering TURKEY VULTURE west of Gravelley Bay Road, 4 HORNED LARKS near Waupoos, and a BELTED KINGFISHER today at Cressy. Outside the county, 44 WILD TURKEYS were found along Sidney Street north of the 401 at Belleville, and a GLAUCOUS GULL was seen at Cobourg on Monday. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Joe Victor, Don Craighead, Keith Edgett, Lloyd Paul, Mark Cranford (OntBirds), Nancy Fox, Sergio de Sousa, Shirley Preston, Jack Lashley, Bob Sachs, Fran Donaldson and Joanne Dewey for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 26th. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good winter birding ! Terry Sprague Picton, Ontario [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.naturestuff.net "Terry Sprague" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
